Updated
Overview
South Africa has about 80% more people than Mozambique: 64.75 million against 35.63 million (2025).
South Africa's economy is 19 times the size of Mozambique's, at $427.18B versus $22.34B.
Per person, South Africa is the wealthier of the two: $6,598 against $627 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | South Africa | Mozambique | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $427.18B | $22.34B | 2025 | $400.26B / $22.42B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $6,598 | $627 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.1% | -0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.2% | 4.4% | 2025 | 4.4% / 4.1% |
| Unemployment | 32.4% | Lower: 6.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 37 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $485 | $213 | 2020 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $261 | $149 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.49 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 64.75 million | 35.63 million | 2025 | 61.09 million / 34.21 million |
| Population growth | 1.1% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.7 yrs | 16.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.19 | 4.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 66.3 yrs | 63.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 64% | 37% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 78% | 21% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,221,037 km² | 801,590 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 53.0/km² | 44.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 440 Mt | Lower: 8.61 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 6.9 t | Lower: 0.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.84B | $450.45M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 89,000 | 11,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
South Africa grew while the other economy contracted: 1.1% against -0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in South Africa and 4.4% in Mozambique.
Average monthly earnings favour South Africa: $485 against $213 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mozambique is the far younger society: median age 16.5 versus 28.7 years.
Life expectancy is 2.5 years longer in South Africa (66.3 vs 63.8).
South Africa is considerably more urbanized: 64% of people live in cities, against 37%.
Internet adoption is higher in South Africa (78% vs 21% of the population).
Geography
By land area, South Africa is 52% larger than Mozambique: 1,221,037 km² versus 801,590 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
South Africa spends 6.3 times as much on defence as Mozambique: $2.84B versus $450.45M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Mozambique carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.7%.
South Africa fields the larger armed forces: 89,000 personnel against 11,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is South Africa bigger than Mozambique?
- South Africa is larger by land area. South Africa covers 1,221,037 km² while Mozambique covers 801,590 km², so South Africa is 52% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, South Africa or Mozambique?
- South Africa has the larger population: 64.75 million versus 35.63 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is South Africa richer than Mozambique?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Africa is richer: $6,598 against $627. Total GDP tells the same story: $427.18B for South Africa versus $22.34B for Mozambique.
- Who spends more on their military, South Africa or Mozambique?
- South Africa spends more: $2.84B versus $450.45M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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